Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 109

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 109

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In 1868. Mr. MeWilliams was married to Prudence McIntosh, of Champaign County. Ohio, who is a daughter of John MeIntosh. a pioneer wagon-maker in Champaign County. Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams have three chil- dren -- John Stanley. William Edward and Emma Grace. Mr. MeWilliams is a stanch Republican and has been active in public mat- ters in his township. He has served as town- ship treasurer. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church.

1 SAAC MARION FREESE, one of Con- cord Township's most respected citi- zens, residing on his farm of 33 acres. has been a resident of this township all his life with the exception of two years. He was born in Delaware County, Ohio, July 17, 1844. and is a son of Isaac and Hester ( Gates) Freese.

The grandparents, John and Mary Frees. came from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early date. settling first in Pickaway County, and coming thence to Delaware County about 1838. John Freese purchased a farm of 100 acres on the east bank of the Scioto River. one-half mile south of Bellpoint, for which he

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paid $6.25 an acre. Isaac Freese, father of Isaac M .. later acquired one-half of this land. At that time it was all covered with timber and the family endured many pioneer hard- ships before their wild surroundings were changed. John and Mary Freese had the fol- lowing children: Jacob, who died after set- thing in Illinois; Isaac, father of Isaac MI .: John, who died in Concord Township and left four children: Abraham, who died in Concord Township, leaving seven sons and two daugh- ters : Henry, who died in Concord Township, leaving one child; Mary, who married Henry Oller and removed to Illinois; and Annie, who married Ilenry Black. and died in Scioto Township. The grandparents lived to old age and they now rest in the Oller cemetery. on the banks of the Scioto River.

Isaac Freese, father of Isaac M., was born in 1803 and lived to the age of 88 years. On his land he built a comfortable log cabin and there all his family were reared, enjoying all the necessities of life even if they had but few of the luxuries. He was a man of sterl- ing character and lived respected and esteemed. He married Hester Gates, who died in 1870. aged 62 years. She was a daughter of Na- thaniel and Nancy Gates, who came to Con- cord Township. Delaware County, from Ma- rietta, Ohio. There were seven children born to lsaac and Hester ( Gates) Freese, namely : Loretta, Lavinia, Perlina, John, Isaac M., An- nie. and Catherine. Loretta, who married Norman Collins, moved to Moultrie County, Illinois, where both died. They are survived by one of their four children-Lewis Collins. now of Delaware: Lavinia married J. N. Sa- ger, of Liberty Township, and moved to King- man, Kansas, where she died, leaving five children. Perlina, who married Stephen Freshwater, of Concord Township, is sur- vived by her husband and four children. John. who married Jane Hamilton, died in Moultrie County, leaving three children. Annie is the wife of Joseph Evans, and resides in Liberty Township; she has eight children. Catherine, who was married ( first) to John Gamble and (secondly) to Charles B. Johnson, of Con-

cord Township, had one child-daughter-by her first marriage and seven children by her second.

Isaac M. Freese in his boyhood, attended the district schools and was reared on his fa- ther's farm. At that time the township and even the county was but sparsely settled and he enjoyed few of the social advantages which his grandchildren have in abundance. He did much hard work and assisted in im- proving the home place until he turned his at- tention to other pursuits. He has owned his present farm since 1865, on which he has made all the improvements, but during the greater part of his life he has been engaged in a mercantile business, spending two years in Illinois.

Mr. Freese was married (first) in 1863. to Susan Watson, who was a daughter of W. T. and Jane ( Beckley ) Watson. The chil- dren born of that marriage were: Mary, who died aged sixteen months: Lavinia, who mar- ried Frank McKinnie, of Delaware, and has eight children-Blanche. Rusk. Chester, Eliza- beth, Ray, Nona. Ivalon and Clinton; Cora Irene. who married William Engard, resides in Delaware, and has four children- Peter. Marion, Walter and William: Martha Jane. who married William Reese, residing at Dela- ware, has three children-Marguerite, Frank and Marion : Susan, who married Frank Reese. resides at Delaware and they have five living children-Arthur. Clifford, Ralph. Lawrence and Dorence; and Walter Isaac, residing at Delaware, married Augusta Berlett and they have four children-Anna Maria. Donald, Ruth and Roy. In May, 1880, Mr. Freese was married ( secondly) to Mrs. Sarah Jane Warren, who is a daughter of Nelson R. and Eliza (Edleman) Talley. They have two children, Iva and William Andrew, the latter of whom resides at home. The former mar- ried William Webster, Jr., of Concord Town- ship, and they have three daughters: Bere- nice. Marian and Florence. By her former marriage, Mrs. Freese had two children, Fred- erick Raymond, who is a prominent citizen of Montana, where he was elected a member of

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the State Legislature, in 1966; and Frank D., who is the wife of George McKetrick, resid- ing . t Columbus, Ohio.

For many years, probably over a half cen- tury. AIr. Freese has been a member of the United Brethren Church. Formerly he be- longed to the Republican party, but in late years he has thrown his influence in the direc- tion of the Prohibition party.

OHN H. WARREN formerly treas- urer of Delaware County and long identified with the agricultural inter- ests of Scioto Township, has been a resident of Delaware since 1906. He was born in Radnor Township, Delaware County, Ohio, October 20, 1833, and is a son of William M. and Mary ( Jones ) Warren.

Thomas Warren, the grandfather of John H., was one of the hardy pioneers of Radnor Township, Delaware County, where he cleared land and erected a log house in the wilderness. He was born in Pennsylvania and was of Scotch-Irish extraction.

William M. Warren, son of Thomas, was born in 1802. in Pennsylvania, and died in Ohio in 1882. He accompanied his parents to Delaware County and grew to manhood on the home farm near Radnor. A few years after his marriage. he moved to what was then the village of Millville, the name of which was la- ter changed to Warrensburg. he being the first of the family to locate there; and for many years following he was a justice of the peace for Scioto Township. He was active in public affairs and was frequently sent as a delegate to important party councils and was the member from Delaware County in the Ohio Constitutional Convention. Like many other strong men of high character of his day. he was prominent in Masonry and belonged to Hiram Lodge, No. 18. F. & A. M., at Dela- ware. He married Mary Jones, who was born in that part of Radnor Township which is now included in Scioto Township. ller fa- ther. John Jones, was born in Wales. Four of their six children reached maturity, name-

ly: Robert W. and Benjamin F., both now deceased: and John H. and William M., the latter residing at Warrensburg. The parents of the above family belonged to the old stone Presbyterian Church of South Radnor.

John H. Warren was about three years old when his parents moved to Warrensburg. Ile can recall the first school he attended, which was held in a log house furnished with slab seats. When 18 years old he came to Dela- ware and for a few years he worked as a clerk. the city being then of so insignificant a size as to enable him to know personally every resi- (lent. After gaining some mercantile experi- ence, he returned to Warrensburg, where he opened a general store and built a brick store building, his brother. William Warren, enter- ing into partnership with him. They con- tinued the business for eight years, under the firm name of J. H. Warren & Company, when John H. sold his interest to his partner and retired from the firm. Shortly afterward, in 1876. he was elected county treasurer, a re- sponsible office that he filled very efficiently for four years, and during this period he re- sided at Delaware. Upon the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Warren engaged in farming in Scioto Township, and he con- tinued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1906, when he retired to Delaware, mak- ing his home in a comfortable residence on the northwest corner of Liberty and Griswold Streets. During his life on the farm. he was also engaged for some years in operating a flour mill. His rural industries are continued by his sons.

Mr. Warren married Annie E. Austin. who is a daughter of John Austin, a resident of Scioto Township. and they have had nine children, namely: Harry G., residing in Scioto Township: Mary Belle, now deceased. who is survived by her husband. William Sipes ; Nellie, residing at Mt. Gilead, Ohio. who married Sherman Jackson: Charles F., a resident of Columbus : Engene A., residing on the home farm: Caroline M .. residing in Scioto Township, who married Ernest Decker : Miller M .. residing in Scioto Township: Fan- nie, who is now deceased : and Louise. residing

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in Thompson Township, who married Merlin Stults. Mrs. Warren is a member of the Pres- byterian Church and a sympathetic worker in the field of charity. In politics, Mr. Warren has always been a Democrat and he has been an influential member of his party in this sec- tion. He is a Mason, belonging to Hiram Lodge at Delaware.

ILBERT W. LAIRD, general farmer. residing on his valuable estate of 166 acres, which is situated in Scioto Township, was born May 17. 1846. -

in Oxford Township, Butler Conn- ty, Ohio, and is a son of llenry Wolcott and Susanna Martha ( Brown) Laird.

Tracing the Laird family as far back as the grandfather of Gilbert W., who was Glover Laird, it is found that he was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, where he was probably educated well and before he came to America learned the trade of shoemaker, a valuable one in the section in which he subsequently set- tled. He was married (first ) to a Miss Wol- cott, who was born in Vermont, and they started west as pioneers, he purchasing a farm in Michigan, from the government. Glover Laird was residing in St. Joseph County when the government shipped the Indians from De- troit across the river. Ile built a log cabin on his land and lived in it until he was ready to build a substantial frame house. He reared a large family by his first marriage. no children being born of his second union. He was first a Whig in politics, and later a Republican, and he was connected with the Free Masons, which, in those early days, was a very strong bond.

Henry Wolcott Laird was born in Nota- way Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan, in 1812, and died October 1, 1881. He was a self-educated man, like many of the leading men of our land, studying at night by the light of the fireplace and working by day as a car- penter and house painter. When his mother ‹lied he bought the home farm and lived there through the remainder of his life. Fins wife |

Susanna, was a daughter of William Brown. who was once a slave-owner in Maryland. where she was born, and who subsequently gave his slaves their freedom and moved to Ohio. Mrs. Laird lived to be more than 80 years old, her death taking place May II. 1903. During her long life she remained a true gentle woman, having come from a dis- tinguished ancestry which included the Web- ster family of New England. Although con- ditions in Michigan, in 1852, after she had ac- companied her husband there, prevented the habit of lavish hospitality that came to her al- most as an inheritance, she made welcome all who came to her home and until the close of her life turned a ready ear to every one in sorrow, distress or need. She became the be- loved and honored mother of nine children. seven of whom grew to maturity, namely : William Henry, residing at Sandusky : George C., residing at Menden, Michigan : Gilbert W .. a resident of Scioto Township. Delaware County, Ohio: James M., residing at Vicks- burg, Michigan: John Marion, who resides at Menden, Michigan: Charles W., who resides at Leesburg. Union County, Ohio; and Caro- line, who married William Reinhardt, resid- ing at Sandusky. Henry W. Laird was promi- nent in Michigan political life. was a great campaign speaker, and on one occasion was the chosen candidate of his party for the State A.s- sembly. He belonged to the Masonic lodge at Centerville, Michigan.

Gilbert W. Laird was eight years old when his parents moved to Michigan. He attended school in St. Joseph County and continued on the home farm until 1878, when he purchased his present land. He engages here in general farming and stock raising and uses for feed all the grain he grows with the exception of wheat.

On December 12, 1878, Mr. Laird was married to Maggie K. Bird, who is a daughter of Oliver Perry Bird, a leading citizen of Scioto Township. Mr. and Mrs. Laird have had four children, namely: Myrtle M .. who is now deceased: Merle M .. who married B. M. Huff, residing at Massillon, Ohio; and Mande B. and Clande C., who are twins. Mrs.

MR. AND MRS. SETH GARDNER

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Laird is a member of the Christian Union Church and is active in benevolent work. In politics, Mr. Laird is identified with the Re- publican party, but has no political ambition. He performs all the ordinary duties of a good citizen, but has always declined to accept pub- lic office.

ETH GARDNER. a prosperous agri- culturalist and representative citizen of Troy Township, who has resided on his excellent farm of 71 acres, since the fall of 1906, was born in Berkshire Township, Delaware County, Ohio, January 23. 1851, and is a son of Reuben C. and Lydia ( Rolloson) Gardner.

Reuben C. Gardner was born in New Jer- sey, but 61 years of his life were passed in Delaware County, Ohio, and for 50 years he was a prominent farmer of Berlin Township. His death took place in February, 1905. He married Lydia Rolloson, who was born in Delaware County and who is also deceased. Of their children, the following survive : Phebe I., who married William B. Shaw, of Berlin Township: John ML .. residing at Van Wert, Ohio: Harriet, who married Nathaniel Perhamas, of Van Wert, Ohio; Seth. residing in Troy Township; Eunice, who married Charles U. Hall. of Berlin Township; Ciers, residing at Van Wert: Lemuel J., residing in Berlin Township; and Martin L., residing in Nebraska.

When Seth Gardner was about four years old, his parents moved from Berkshire to Ber- lin Township, and he resided there until he reached manhood, in the meanwhile securing a common school education. He then started out for himself, for in all essentials he is a self-made man. After learning the carpenter's trade he engaged in work in Delaware, and for twenty years was occupied there as a car- penter and contractor, remaining in that city until he retired to his farm in 1906. His land is well located and is capable of a high state of cultivation.

On April 13, 1869, Mr. Gardner was mar- ried to Susanna B. Davisson, who was born

near New Madrid, Missouri, and is a daugh- ter of Luke and Anna ( Black ) Davisson, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have had five children, of whom the only survivor is a daughter, Adaline, who married Arthur Dennis. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have one daugh- ter. Lena. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are mem- bers of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, at Delaware. Politically, the former is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Improved order of Red Men, having passed all the chairs in both lodges.

1 OHN W. W.ATKINS, general agricul- turist, owning 131 acres of valuable land situated in Radnor Township. was born on this farm, June 24, 1843. and is a son of Watkin and Mary (Jones) Watkins.

The paternal grandfather was Evan Wat- kins, who died in Wales, and his widow sub- sequently emigrated to America with her six children. Watkin Watkins was born in Llan- ervill, Wales, in 1809, and died in 1844. He was about 12 years old when his mother came to America and settled in Radnor Township, Delaware. County, where he attended the early schools. He remained on the farm until he was approaching manhood, when he went to Buffalo and shipped as a fireman on a steamer, later becoming an engineer. He continued to live at Buffalo but purchased the present farm when it was practically all forest. He en- gaged in farming for several years before his death. He married Mary Jones, who died in September, 1905. aged 87 years. She was a daughter of John P. Jones, who came to Rad- nor Township from Wales. in 1820. Later Mrs. Watkins contracted a second marriage, be coming the wife of Richard Bunford, of Radnor Township. To her first marriage were born two children, Izates, residing at Wells- ville, Kansas; and John W. To her second marriage two children were born, Philip and Mary A. She was a member of the Congre- gational Church.

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

John W. Watkins was reared in Radnor Township, where he attended the country schools and worked on the home farm. In 1864 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry and was honorably discharged in the following September. His service was guard- ing the defenses of Washington City. He is a member of Mounts Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Prospect. After his return from the army he remained at home, farming during the summers and teaching school dur- ing the winters, until 1870, when he married. He then purchased the home farm of 86 acres and to that has added 45 acres. He devotes his land to corn, hay, oats and alfalfa. Ile has 15 head of cattle, 15 of sheep, 60 of hogs, 12 of horses and raises from two to four horses every year. He is a first-class, practi- cal farmer and he enjoys the prosperity which results from industry and good management. Mr. Watkins married Mary Jones, who is a daughter of Evan Jones, a resident of Scioto Township. Of their six children, five survive, namely: Watkin, residing in Thompson Township : William, residing in Radnor Town- ship; Lida, who married Emlin Jones, resid- ing in Radnor Township: and Della and Izates G., both residing at home. The family belong to the Congregational Church. In poli- tics. Mr. Watkins is a Republican and has served as assessor and land appraiser. He was his party's candidate on one occasion for county treasurer and was defeated by a very small majority. He is a member of the Na- tional U'nion and also of the Odd Fellows belonging to Radnor Lodge since 1867, of which he is past grand. He is a representa- tive citizen of this section.

HEODORE F. BLAKELEY, senior member of the general mercantile firm of Blakeley & Williams, at Sunbury, Ohio, was born in Lincoln Town- ship, Morrow County, Ohio, May 20. 1842. His parents were Robert and Hannah ( Kingman) Blakeley.

The grandfathers of Mr. Blakeley, on both sides of the family, came from other points, but were early settlers in Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Blakeley, was born in Ireland, where he married Rosina Richards. They emigrated to America and settled first at Reading, Pennsylvania, later coming to Ohio. He acquired much land and was con- sidered a successful business man. He met his death by accidental drowning in Walnut Creek, in Franklin County. He had six chil- dren. The maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Blakeley. Alexander Kingman, was a Revolutionary soldier. Grandfather Joseph Kingman was born in Vermont, served in the War of 1812 and came to Ohio from New York. His first wife was Susan Woods and his second Sarah Harendine. He was a far- mer in Morrow County, where he died.

Robert Blakeley was born in 1818, in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio, in 1820, with his parents. He lived in Franklin County un- til 1834, and from that time until his death he resided in Morrow County. He married Han- nah Kingman, who died in 1900, aged 80 years. In early life she united with the Meth- odist Church, but later became a Presbyterian. Robert Blakeley survived his wife until Au- gust 28, 1905. He also belonged to the Pres- byterian Church. Their family consisted of five sons and three daughters.

Theodore F. Blakeley was reared on the home farm in Morrow County, and was edu- cated in the district schools and the Carding- ton High School. He was 18 years of age when he left home and became clerk in a store conducted by James S. Trimble, at Mt. Gilead. and he resided in that town for eight years. He then moved to Cameron, Missouri, where he embarked in business for himself, conduet- ing a general store for three years, after which he was in business at Olive Green or Kingston. Delaware County, Ohio. In 1873 he came to 'Sunbury and went into partnership with his brother, Perry Blakeley. They were associ- ated in a general mercantile business until 1885. when Perry Blakeley sold his interest to the firm of Kimball & Williams, the style then becoming Blakeley, Kimball & Williams.

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In 1890. Mr. Kimball retired and the present firm name of Blakeley & Williams was adopt- ed. This firm does a very large business, oc- cupying two floors and basement, which are well stocked with seasonable goods. The trade rating of the firm is very high, and the con- fidence inspired by their honest methods of dealing extends all through this section.

On April 24, 1870, Mr. Blakeley married Anna Mosher, who is a daughter of David and Phebe ( Buck) Mosher. Mrs. Blakeley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally, Mr. Blakeley is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs to Sparrow Lodge No. 400. F. & A. M., and Delaware Chapter, and to Alt. Vernon Commandery at Columbus. He takes no very active part in politics, but is identified with the Democratic party.

D E LACY WALDRON, a representa- tive and prominent citizen of Brown Township, formerly county commis- sioner of Delaware County, for two terms, was born in Kingston Town- ship. Delaware County, Ohio, July 25. 1833. and is a son of William and Mary ( Wheeler ) Waldron.

William Waldron, the father. was born in New York, 40 miles south of the metropolis, January 25. 1804, and he died in Kingston Township. Delaware County, Ohio, June 29. 1883. He married Mary Wheeler, who was born April 26, 1808, and died October 19. 1871. She was born and reared in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Thomas Wheeler, who settled in Berkshire Township. In 1816, the paternal grandparents of De Lacy Waldron, Cornelius and Nancy Wal- dron, came with their children to Kingston Township, Delaware County, and the grand- father built the log house that stood so long. It was then surrounded by forest, there being very few other settlers in the township. The children born of the two marriages of Corne- lius Waldron have all passed away. The three children born to William and Mary Wal- (Iron were: De Lacy: Maria, who died aged

six years ; and Mary, who married Benjamin F. Elliott and who resided two two miles north of Sunbury, until her death, March 18, 1905.

De Lacy Waldron was reared on the farm on which his grandfather settled in 1816. His father added to the original tract, making it over 300 acres, 190 of which the present Mr. Waldron owns. He was educated in the district schools. at Olive Green, and at West- erville College. When he married he settled on the home farm and there carried on gen- eral farming and stock raising until 1896, with the exception of three years, during which he was engaged in a hardware business at Mag- netic Springs, and a short period spent at Sun- bury. Since 1896 he has been a residence of Kilbourne. He has witnessed many changes during his long residence here and has been identified with much of the progress which has civilized the country and brought prosperity to it.

Mr. Waldron was married January 1. 1863. to Angeline Stark, who is a daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth ( Patrick ) Stark, and a granddaughter of John Stark, who died in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Oliver Stark came from that locality on horseback, when 21 years of age. He settled in Kingston Township and became a man of wealth and prominence, serving six years as county com- missioner and for 25 years as a justice of the peace. He died in 1880, aged 77 years. His wife, Elizabeth, who died aged 85 years, was born in Kingston Township, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah ( Taylor) Patrick, who came to that township from Pennsylvania, being among the very first settlers there. Joseph Patrick was one of the leading men of his day in this section. It is related that the forest was so dense and entirely pathless, when he first settled here, that on one occasion he was lost within a short distance of his home and after much wandering approached it and did not recognize it until his wife called his name. He acquired a large amount of land and each one of his children were given property. Three daughters and two sons were born to Oliver Stark and wife, namely : Septer, Sarah, Mary,

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 109

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 926

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926